Monday...Monday!

Happy Monday! I have been saying that for about 20 years.  People ask me all the time why I say it.   In the second half of my career, I began the practice of wishing everyone a "Happy Monday!" and "Happy Friday!" - face to face, by phone, and email.   No one ever asked about Friday.  Duh, we are all happy to see Friday.     Many dread Monday.   As I see it, Monday is a day of revival - a chance to start fresh and anew. A New Years Day...with the beginning of every new week.     Before long, everyone began greeting me this way - "Happy Monday!"    It became a bit of a calling card. Why? Enthusiasm is contagious. Greet and engage everyone as if you are truly excited to see them - and mean it!  People want to be celebrated...not tolerated.   Why do we waste so many precious days?   People squander Friday because they are so excited about the weekend.  It is a joyous half-day mentality that spills over.  Monday gets treated like a recovery day from the weekend.  It is noon before many people get their motor running.    I believe Monday should be the most productive day of the week.  You have had a day of celebration (Saturday) and a day of renewal (Sunday).  You should be recharged and ready to take on the world.   Not feeling it?  It's time you gave Monday it's just due.    5 Ways to Make Monday Better:   1. Create new enthusiasm. Monday is a day to feel like anything is possible. See it as a new beginning. Generate new discipline, new focus...new enthusiasm.  Forget all that happened last week.  Learn the lessons and apply them to a new evolved approach.  Get excited!.   2. Start Earlier...end later.  Jump up and jump start the day.  If you normally get started at 9am, then on Monday, get started at 7am .  If you normally stop at 5...keep going until 7pm.  Sure, that's 4 more hours of productivity, but you are fresh from the weekend.  Monday is like the first 5 miles of a marathon, put some time "in the bank" while you have energy to burn!   3. Dream Big Dreams - Ok, so you didn't close the sale on Friday...forget it.  This week you will double the revenue.  Monday is a day to review your goals.  It is a day to put in the Tony Robbins cd and remember what you want out of life.  Don't think defeat...think victory and possibility!   4. Take Big Action - Renewed enthusiasm, an early start, dreaming big.  All of that sets the stage for you to take big action.  Start writing that book, call that big client, begin that new workout.  Just like a New Years resolution, Monday provides a chance for you to ACT like anything is possible.  Don't just think it...do it!   5. Learn a new thing.  On Monday, your mind is fresh, alert and receptive.  The perfect time to put something new in it.  Leverage that classroom mentality.  Attend a webinar, read a technical manual, learn new technology...get knowledge!       "Before the first year, nobody gave it a chance. Now, 36 years later, everybody knows Monday Night Football" Frank Gifford   I could guilt you into it by saying every day is a gift so don't waste them.  I could manipulate you by saying that most heart attacks happen on Monday and how dare you be heart sick.  None of that would be fair, or necessary.  You already know that time is precious...right?    Yes, each day has a feel, a pulse, a tone and tenor.  All I would ask is that you give Monday a chance.  Yes...   Monday...Monday!   Until Tuesday, I wish you Money, Power, Success!